Supplying ink to ink transfer members



March 23, 1937. G. E. PELToN @74,969

SUPPLYNG INK TO INK TRANSFER MEMBERS Filed Jan. 265f 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 23, 1937. G. E. PELTON 2,074,969.

SUPPLYING INK TO INK TRANSFER MEMBERS Filed Jan. 26, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUPPLYIN G INK T INK TRANSFER MEMBERS This invention relates to typing machines, and particularly to means for supplying ink tothe writing ribbons or transfer members of such machines while in use. The term "ink" is hereinafter used to designate any transfer material for making marks or letters.

In vmy Patent No. 1,826,568 an ink absorbent supply ribbon is -described from which ink is transferredV to the writing ribbon. The present invention relates to improvements in what is shown in this patent.

'I'he objects of thisinvention are to simplify the feeding of ink to a. transfer member and to Y accurately control the rate at which ink is fed to the transfer member; also to make it .possible to obtain as much writing from multi-color ribbons as from ribbons of one color; also to supply liquid ink .from a source of supply to the transfer member in the form of a line or lines; also to place a. line of ink from an ink reservoir upon an intermediate member from which it is in turn supplied to the ink transfer member; also to provide an intermediate member of this kind having a substantially impervious surface upon which the ibnk is placed for dispensing to thetransfer mem- Other objects are to provide a method and apparatus of this kind, in accordance with which a small quantity of ink `is picked up by the thin edge portion of a rotary member'and transferred to that portion Where the type contact to dispense ink, or the upper portion or lower portion, or an intermediate portion of the Width of an ink transfer member, lengthwise, in the form of a thin or fine line or lines; also to provide a method and apparatus for transferring ink'to a ribbon by using an intermediate or ink-conveying ribbon which Yreceives a lne line or lines of ink of any desired shape, and which is wound upon the usual o ribbon spools in contact with the writing ribbon;

also to provide an apparatus of this kind in which a capillary member or wick of substantially cylindrical form extends into a supply of ink and rotates in contact with a thin edge portion of a disk or rotary member for applying a restricted' supply of ink to the edge portion, and then transferring the ink to any desired portion of the ink transfer member; also to provide an ink dispensing mechanism which is so constructed that the wick which extends into the ink and the member contacting therewith are rotated by contact with a ribbon receiving ink from said rotary member; also to provide an apparatus of this kind by means of'which the ink is fed from a reservoir through at least one minute orifice; also to provide an ink supply of this kind in which the discharge of ink from the orifice can be regulated and shut off when desired; also to secure from multi-color ribbons the same' fine writing and same large quantity of writing as is secured by the present invention when single color ribbons are used; also to provide afnew type of ink supply ribbon of materially less width than that of -the writing ribbon and by means of which ink can be dispensed to any desired portion of a writing ribbon,`either the upper portion where the type strike, the lower portion or any intermediate portion.

One of the main objects of this invention is to provide an ink supplying method and apparatus by means of which a fine thin writing ribbon or transfer member, such for example as disclosed in my co-pending application No. 567,111, can be used for a very long period of'time Ito produce throughout its life uniformly fine Writing resembling printing, and to use such a ribbon without change until the fabric itself is worn out.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a top plan view of the front portion of a typewriting machine having means applied thereto for supplying liquid ink to an ink transfer member or writing ribbon.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the ink supply member, on line 2-2, Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view thereof, on line 3`-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view thereof, on line 4 4, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, on line 5 5, Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a face view of an ink transfer disk of modified construction.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of a type- Writing machine having a ribbon inking mechanism of modified construction applied thereto.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of a typewriter having an inking mechanism of modied construction applied thereto for supplying liquid ink to the transfer member or Writing ribbon of the machine through a minute orifice.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the inking device, taken lengthwise of the typewriter and on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional elevation thereof; on line Ill-I0, Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a perspective View of the inking device detached from the typewriter and showing the ribbon guiding member of the inking device in an inoperative position.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view, on line I2-I 2, Fig. 9. l'

'Ihis invention may be applied to a typewriter or type mechanism of any kind employing a 5 Writing ribbon or other ink transfer member.

In the accompanying drawings, for the purpose of illustrating an embodimentl of my invention, i't is shown as applied to a typewriting machine having a frame I0 and a platen II which carries -the paper or other material upon which the Writing is done. I2 and I3 represent the usual ribbon spools upon which the Writing ribbon I4 may be wound and unwound during the use of the typewriter. The ribbon in passing from one spool to the other passes through the usual ribbon guide or vibrator I5, and moves in the vibrator into and out of the writing position in which the ribbon is struck by the type. Any other means for using the ribbon to transfer ink therefrom to the writing surface may be employed.

In accordance with my improved method of supplying ink to a writing ribbon or other ink transfer member, I provide a rotatable member having a thin edge portion which, consequently,

can receive only a very limited quantity of ink proportional to the thickness of the edge of the rotatable member. At one portion of the circular path of movement of the edge of the rotatable member, ink is applied to the edge, and at anotherportion of the path of movement of this edge, the ink is removed from this rotatable member Vand applied either directly to the writing ribbon or to an intermediate ribbon or carrier herein called an ink supply ribbon or member and which supplies the ink deposit thereon to the writing ribbon. 'Ihe ink may be applied to the thin edge of the rotary member in any desired manner, for

example, by having this edge contact or connect with, either directly or indirectly, a revolvable or 4o a stationary wick or capillary member. To insure a uniform inking of this edge and to prevent the revolvable wick from being injured or cut by the thin edge of the rotary member, it is preferable to have the wick of cylindrical form and rotating at the same peripheral speed as the edge of the rotatable member. 'Ihis insures a uniform deposit of ink on the edge of the rotary member, in that the portion of this member contacting with the wick applies very slight pressure thereto,

and receives from said wick a small amount of ink which is deposited on the edge of the rotary member. The rotary member may however pick up ink directly or otherwise from a stationary wick or other ink feed means. The wick maybeof tubular or any desired shape or form. When it is revolvable it may be in the shape of a cylinder and may be revolved by means of gears. The rotary members may receive their rotation from the movement of the writing or intermediate ribbon. The

ink feed member may be of any desired shape or form. It may be of any material; it may be cornposed of more than one material and may be one unit or made up of more than one unit or it may be composed of several parts of differentA shapes '55 and different materials. I do not in any way limit myself as to the ink feed used.

The apparatus for use in carrying out this method may be of any suitable or desired construction, that shown including a housing A containing the mechanism for applying the ink to a ribbon and also for guiding a ribbon into correct relation to the inking devices. This housing may be secured to any convenient part of the frame I0 of the typing machine in any suitable manner,

lugs or brackets I6 being provided on the opposite ends of the housing A in the construction shown, which lugs may be fastened by screws or other means to the frame or iixed part of the writing machine. In the particular construction shown,

the housing A includes a rear wall I1 having suitable guide channels I8 and I 9 secured to the inner surface of the wall, and spaced apart'in the middle portion of the housing. In the construction vshown in Figs. 1 to 5, 20 represents an intermediate or supply ribbon flexible member of any suitable or desired material, which may be wound on the spools I2 and I3 with the Writing ribbon or ink transfer member I4 so that the ink carried by the supply ribbon will be supplied to the writing ribbon I4 when the supply ribbon contacts with the writing ribbon. This supply ribbon is preferably made of a non-metallic material that is impervious to or substantially non-absorbent of ink, or which has at least one smooth face which is impervious or non-absorbent, but if desired, for certain purposes, the supply ribbon may be made of any other material and even an absorbent or fabric material may be used. Preferably the rib- ,bon is made as thin as possible. Examples of materials that may be used for making the supply ribbon include cellulose materials, cellophane, kodaloid, celluloid or paper, or'combinations of these materials with fabric or Vfabric impregnated with substantially impervious cellulose compounds. 'I'his ribbon is guided in the channels I8 and I9, as clearly shown in Figs.`2, 4, and 5.

The housing A also has an ink reservoir 22 formed therein, which, in the construction shown, is of circular cross section and depends below the base 23 of the main portion of the housing A. The ink may be brought from the reservoir 22 by means of a wick or capillary member 25, a portion of which may be arranged to rotate about an axis. The wick may be substantially tubular in form and may be secured to the periphery of a cylinder 26 rotatable in the housing A and extending into the 4well 22. For example, the lower end of this cylinder may be journalled to rotate about the point of a screw 21 extending into the reservoir 22 through the bottom thereof .and the upper end of the cylinder may be journalled in a bracket- 28 secured to the side wall of the housing A and engaging a trunnlon or bearing projection 29 of the cylinder 26.

30 represents a disk, wheel, or rotary member which is secured to a pivot or shaft 3l journalled at its upper and lower ends in bearing brackets or straps 32 and 33, secured on the base 23 of the housing A, but any other means for rotatably mounting the disk 30 or the wick supporting cylinder 26 may be employed, if desired. The disks are preferably provided with a series of holes 30a (see Figs. 5 and 6) which retard the spreading ofH the ink across the face of the disk, and thus prevent to a large extent the tendency of the ink to creep across the disk from the wick to the ribbon when the typing machine is not in use. Inks used in connection with typewriter ribbons and the like generally contain oil which has very great wetting Orspreading power which property of the ink is of very little trouble in connection with this apparatus because of the very small areas of contact of the disk with the wick and ribbon, so that .the holes 30a can be dispensed with without interfering with the successful operation of this method and apparatus (see disks shown in Fig. 7).

The disk or rotary member 30 may be made of any suitable non-absorptive material, such for example as metal, or other suitable relatively rigid substance, and may be of any desired shape, so long as the edge portion thereof is sufliciently thin to carry the small amount of ink which is to be transferred to the desired portion of the ink transfer member. This rotary member 30 may, for example, be in the form of a thin disk, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, of substantially uniform thickness, or a disk 30h of the shape shown in Fig. 6 may be employed in which the edge portion is serrated or recessed so that only parts of the edge portion of the disk engage the inking cylinder 25 and the ribbon, thus placing a broken or interrupted line in the form of a uniform series or' short lines of ink upon the ribbon and thus reducing the amount of ink which will be placed on the ribbon or ink transfer member by the disk 30. For example,- when the transfer ribbon I4 is used on a typewriting machine using pica or medium size, or small type or characters, for very neat work the edge of the disk 30 may have to be as thin as .002 of an inch in order not to supply an excess of ink to the transfer ribbon. For general classes of typewriting work on the usual, standard ofce typewriters, the edge portions of the disk, or the periphery of the disk may be as thin as .002 of an inch, or may be .004 of an inch or .006 of an inch in thickness, respectively, for pica or very small type; if the disk is of the shape shown in Fig. 6, the edge portions may be correspondingly thicker to put the same v amount of ink in the lines of ink supplied to the Writing ribbon. In connection with other typing machines, either typewriters having very large type or other machines using large or very large type, the edge of this disk may be very materially thicker, but preferably such thickness of disk is selected as will supply to the Writing ribbon only enough ink to replace that which is removed during the writing, when the entire edge or periphery of the rotary member is coated with the ink. The thickness of the edge portion of said disk for neat writing should never be equal to the width of the space on the writing ribbon which is marked by the type. The periphery of the disk also may be of wavy or undulating form, or a plurality of disks may be employed, to deposit ink in a series of parallel lines on the writing ribbon and the term line as hereinafter used is intended to include one or more lines of either continuous, interrupted or broken, or undulating or irregular or any other form.

The disk or wheel 30, in the construction shown in Figs. l to 5, contacts with the supply ribbon 20 in the space between the adjacent ends of the two channel ribbon guide members I8 and I9, and

in order to insure a uniform deposit of ink from the disk 30 on the ribbon 20, it may be desirable to press the ribbon against the disk 3U. This Cil can easily be done, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, by means of a roller 34 pivoted on a bracket 35. These two parts may be contained in an extension 33 of the housing A on dthe rear wall thereof. The bracket itself forms one end or arm of a lever, pivoted at 36 in the bottom wall of the extension 33 of the housing A, and the other arm 31 of the lever has a spring 38, secured on the housing A, pressing against it so as to yieldingly swing the lever to hold the roller 34 against the back face of the ribbon 20 to press the front face of the ribbon against the edge of the disk 30.

The spring may be of any suitable size or form;

extending lengthwise of the housing from end to end thereof, for preventing ink from contacting directly with the ribbon 20, or from escaping through the slots 4I and 42 in the ends of the A housing through which the ribbon 20 enters the housing, in case the well 22 overflows. The partition wall 40 also makes it possible to fill the front vportion of the housing with ink up as high as the upper edge of the partition wall 40, if desired, although for ordinary use, the amount of ink indicated in the well 22 in Fig. 3 is sufficient to insure an adequate supply of ink to the writing ribbon.

In order to prevent the wick or capillary mem- 4 ber 25 vfrom being cut or injured by the fine edge of the disk 30, because of relative movement of the contacting surfaces, the construction illustrated may be employed, in which the pivot 3| of the disk 30 carries a gear 45 meshing with a second gear 46 secured to the cylinder 26 carrying the wick. These gears are preferably of such size that the peripheral portions of\the Wick and of the disk 30 will be caused to move at the same peripheral speeds by the gears and 46, so that there will be no relative movement between the edge of the disk 3l and the wick 25. Preferably, though not necessarily, the roller 34 is also provided with a gear 41 meshing with the gear 45 so that as the ribbon 20 is moved lengthwise through the housing by the rotation of either of the spools I2 and I3, the ribbon, by frictional Y the inking apparatus to exclude dust and prevent deterioration of the ink. It may be of any shape.

The construction described has the advantage that a line or lines of ink of uniform width usually narrower than the width of the type v(or height) inthe machine which is being used and containing a uniform amount of ink is always transferred to the upper portion, or where the type contact with the ribbon, or to the lower portion, or to any intermediate portion of a writing ribbon or to any portion of one face of the ink supply ribbon 20 by the disk 30. When the typewriter is not in use, as for example at night, the disk 30 will, of course, transfer no ink to the supply ribbon, and consequently, ink will only be supplied tothe writing ribbon I4 exactly in proportion to the extent to which the ribbon is used, and only when the ribbon is used. Furthermore, the`supply ribbon 20 is always wound upon that spool upon which the ribbon I4 is being wound, so that fresh ink is added to the portions of the writing ribbon leaving the writingposition or vibrator I5. This allows ample timefor complete absorption of the ink by the transfer member or ribbon I4 while it is wound upon the spool in contact with the ribbon 20, and said ink maybe transferred to the ribbon I4 below that part where the type strike or to any part' of the ribbon I4, either above or below or in the middle.

In Fig. 7 is illustrated an arrangement, whereby ink may be transferred directly to the writing ribbon I4. Theapparatus shown may be of any suitable size and may be extremely small for use in portable typewriters and other small typing machines and it may be placed so as to transfer ink directly to the writing ribbon at any suitable point or place between the spool or spools and the ribbon guide or vibrator I5. In this con- 5 nection a housing B of the inking apparatus has an arm 50 suitably arranged on the frame member I of the writing machine, and the housing B has an ink well or depressed portion .in which a wick member 52 similar to the wick l0 member 25 shown in Fig. 3 is arranged, the Wick member contacting during its rotation withthe disk 53, which in turn contacts with the ribbon I4. A roller 54 corresponding to the roller 34 shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 serves to press the rib` l5 bon into contact with the disk 53. In the use ofV a device of this kind, the ink is preferably applied directly to an edge portion of the writing ribbon I4. Gears connecting the wick 52, disk 53 and pressure roller 54, such as illustrated in Fig. 3 are not shown in Fig. 7 but are preferably also used in this modified form of my invention.

With either of the devices or inking means illustrated whether or not an ink supply ribbon is used, the inking device requires no attention, except at very long intervals (even foryears) it may be necessary to replenish the ink in the reservoirs 22or 5I. No shutting off of the ink supply on discontinuing the use of the writing machine, nor turning on the supply on using the 3 machine is necessary. since ink is only fed when either the supply ribbon or the writing ribbon moves through the ink applying mechanism and no transfer of ink takes place when the ribbon is not in use.

In Figs. 8 to 12 is shown a modified form of an ink feeding device in accordance with which a line of ink is fed from an ink supply through the medium of a minute orifice or orifices. This device is illustrated in these figures as applied 4o to a typewriter similar to the one referred to in Figs. 1 to 'l and is illustrated as employed in connection with supply ribbon 20, which should be identical with the one shown in Figs. 1 to '7. In this case, an ink reservoir 65 is shown suitably secured to the front frame member of the typewriting machine, the reservoir being provided with a cover or top 61 which may be soldered or otherwise tightly secured to the reservoir to prevent the escape of ink, and the ink may be sup- .'10 plied to this reservoir through a short tube 68 having a screw cap 69 preferably provided with a small air aperture 10 therein.

The reservoir may be provided with any suitabe or desired means or means hereinabove de- 5 scribed including wicks and rotary members for feeding a ne line or lines of ink to the upper portion, or portion from which ink is dispensed in the act of writing, or portion marked by the type, or the lower portion, or any intermediate 00 portion of a face of writing ribbon I4. The line of ink may be placed directly upon the upper, lower or any intermediate portion of al face of the writing ribbon, or the ink may be fed to a supply ribbon 20, which may also be wound upon the spools I2 and I3, and which is guided into position to receive ink.

Ink is lfed from the reservoir 65 through a very small orifice, which, in thew construction shown, is arranged in the outer tapering end of the tube 70 or duct 15. The tube shown is arranged within the reservoir and extends through the rear wall 11 of the reservoir to a slight extent, so as to form a projecting nozzle extending beyond the rear wall of the reservoir. If desired, a valve may be employed for controlling and interrupting the feed of ink through the orifice. In the particular construction shown, three of these orifices are used to obtain a Wide range in the amount of ink that may be fedto the ribbon for the particular requirements of the work infhand. This a1'- rangement is very desirable in many uses of typing machines. For example, the typist may do Work on colored index cards requiring a large amount of ink in each impression so that the writing will be quite bold and stand out with strength and color clearly or the typistmay require still more ink, in fact much more ink, so that she may fill in checks of 'colored paper getting plenty of ink into the paper itself to avoid danger of erasures, and she may do other kinds of work where more weight of ink is required in the impressions than for any ordinary job on white paper. Soon after, lthe work may all be on fine quality, very expensive white letter paper where a very slight feed of ink is sufcient for the best results. structurally, the ink discharge members are all alike and the following descripvtion applies to them all.

`vided with a threaded aperture 19 in which a correspondingly threaded portion 8l of a valve stem engages, the stem having a knurled head 82 by means of which the same may be turned. The other end of the stem is provided with a partcooperating with the tube adjacent to the aperture 16 to regulate and interrupt the discharge of ink therethrough; this part, in the construction shown, being in the form of a tapered end 83 seating in a correspondingly tapered portion of the ink feed tube 15. Consequently, by turning the knob 82, the extent of opening of the aperture may be controlled and the flow of ink may be entirely interrupted.

The stems are preferably also provided with additional means for shutting off the supply of ink through the discharge apertures 16, and in the construction shown, each stem is provided with an enlarged cylindrical valve 85 fitting snugly within the ink supply tube 15 and this tubeis provided with an opening 86 therein, which is normally closed by the valvev 85. 'I'his valve 85, however, is provided with a longitudinal slot 88, through which ink may pass into the portion of the ink feed tube 15 leading to the discharge orifice. 'I'he slot 88 preferably terminates short of the -opposite end of the cylinder 85, so that ink is kept out of that end of the tube and out of contact with the screw threads on the stem. It will be obvious that when the slot 88 is out of registration with the opening 86 inthe ink supply tube, the supply of ink to the portion of the tube leading to the orifice is interrupted.

Means of any suitable kind may be provided for guiding a ribbon into correct relation to the discharge orifice 16. In the particular construction shown for this purpose, the ink reservoir a channel 94 which may be made of sheet metal` bent to form anges 85 and 96 extending toward each other and leaving between them a slot large enough to expose the portion of the ribbon which is to receive the line of ink. The guide channel 94 is arranged to guide the ribbon into contact with the discharge orice or orifices. In the construction shown for this purpose, the channel contains a pad or cushion 99, see particularly Fig. 9, which pad is suitably secured to the inner face of the channel and which may be of anydel0. sired cushioning material tending to yieldingly press the ribbon against the discharge orifice, such as felt ribbon. or cotton fabric, but any other suitable cushioning material may be employed. The flanges 95 and 98 of the channel l5 may have suitable recesses 99 cut therein at the portions adjacent to the discharge orifices to permit the ribbon guide member to swing into operative position without striking the tapered ends of the ink supply tubes 15.

20 It has also been found of value to provide suitable means for stretching the ribbon across an orifice, and .for this purpose the rear wall or face of the reservoir 05 is provided with a series of projections |00, one being arranged on each 35 side of this discharge orice. The flanges 95 and 96 of the ribbon guide are also recessed asv indicated at IOI to receive the projections |00. 'I'hese projections not only yieldingly press the ribbon against the pad 98 in the ribbon guide and thus 39 produce a stretching of the ribbon across the orifice 79, but also serve to spread the line of ink fed to the intermediate member or ink-conveyor by the discharge orifice, so that this ink will be more quickly taken up by the writing ribbon.

J Any other means for stretching the ribbon across the discharge orifice and for spreading the ink on the ribbon may be employed or these means may be entirely omitted.

It has also been found that in operating a type- 40 writer equipped` with medium sized type or pica type, or type smaller than pica such as elite or micro type and u ing an ink supply device of this kind, a very sm ll quantity of ink is actually transferred by the type to the writing surface,

45 and consequently, only a very small amount of ink should be fed to the writing ribbon since otherwise the writing ribbon will be inked too heavily. For this reason, the orifices 26 are made very small. For an ordinary type of typewriting 50 machine having medium size type and for/ ordinary, plain, black impressions of fairly substantial weight of ink, an orifice of approximately .003 to .004 of an inch is quite suicient to supply the necessary ink to the ribbon, but the size of the orifice will, of course, depend somewhat upon the nature of the ink itself, as well as upon the nature of the writing to be done. For letter writing and for fine-cut impressions with pica or elite or micro type, I prefer an orifice .002 of an inch in diameter, especially for white paper.

In case a number of ink discharge orifices are employed, as in the construction shown, the orifices may be of different sizes so that the operator can vary the extent of the ink supply in accordance with the work which is being done. For example,

in such cases the three orifices may be of .002,

.004, and .006 of van inch in diameter, respectively. These sizes will cover all needs of most users of typing machines and result in a great advantage from a writing standpoint. The .002

of an inch opening will feed a line of ink .002 of an inch wide therethrough; the .004 of an inch opening will feed a line' of ink .004 of an inch wide or the .006 opening will feed a line of liquid ink 75 .006 of an inch Wide ihfrethrough. The last size USB.

will be sufficient for writing checks on colored paper where ink is required in such quantity as will permit it to get down into the substance of the check paper so as to saturate the paper fibres with ink, and is for very heavy writing generally.

By the use of ink feed mechanisms, such as described, it is possible to employ a very fine writing ribbon which may be very closely woven and as low as .002 of an inch in thickness, since twriting ribbon itself in this case is, of course, not depended upon to act as a reservoir-for a supply of ink as in the case of typewriter ribbons now in A thin ribbon lof this kind if made entirely of long nbre silk andfriction calendered, as described in my application of October'5,1931, is extremely tough and will withstand the pounding of the type for a long period of time and also has est writing on said paper, since `the friction calendering gives a perfectly even,vsmooth, glossy surfaceto the fabric and on the side towards thel writing paper, but when ink is placed upon the face of the writing ribbon which is towards the writing surface, the ribbon may be used with the friction calendered face toward the type. For certain classes of work I much prefer, in addition to friction calendering the surface of the writing ribbon, to use the ink retarding types of ribbon of my Patents No, 1,732,187, No. 1,830,559, No. 1,830,620 for writing ribbons in connection with the apparatus and equipment of the present invention., Said Writing ribbons may be of any of the weaves described in said patents, including skip weaves where one set of threads, either the warp threads or the lling threads, lies mostly on one surface of said ribbon. For the very yfinest writing ribbon for long service and the greatest quantity of print-like writing, I prefer to use a ribbon, with either woven edges, or cut edges if properly fastened, of long fibre silk woven as described in my patent application of October 5, 1931, No. 567,111. I use a silk material that is approximately .004 inch thick when the silk hasI been boiled oif and the natural gum removed from the threads and the material singed in the usual manner and then I friction calender theA material down to approximately .002 of an inch in thickness. This process is described in Patent No. 1,830,559. It is possible to use eighteen to twenty yards in length of this extremely thin Writing ribbon and still have room for the ink supply ribbon herein described. Ink retarding material such as the cellulose or pyroxylin described in my Patent No. 1,732,187, or the ink retarding means of my patents herein mentioned may be added to the calendered surface of this friction calendered ribbon.

In the case of multi-color ribbons the line or lines of ink can be readily transferred to that portion of the writing ribbon, which it is desired should receive the ink by raising or lowering the inking mechanism. In the case, for example, of a black and red writing ribbon used in combination with an ink reservoir and with an ink supply ribbon that is of materially less Width than the Writing ribbon, the ink reservoir or inking means is .raised to the proper height to feed the supply ribbon into the spool so as to Wind on the spool well above the upper portion of the red ink portion of the writing ribbon or at least so that the line of ink on said supply ribbon is well above the upper portion of the red ink portion of the I throughout the life of the machine.

' said ribbon. At present bi-chrome ribbons and multi-color ribbons have a very limited life. This is specially true of a black and red ribbon which 4is used for correspondence and which is lightly inked. I'he black ink is soon used up and when only a slight amount of red ink has been used and when the fabric is in perfectly good condition, the ribbon is thrown away and time must be taken to put on a new ribbon because there was no reserve ink supply. It is rarely possible yto use up all of the red ink when a writing ribbon 18 yds. to 20 yds. or longer is used in a typing machine equipped with my invention for maintaining a constant ink supply in the upper or black portion while the fabric lasts, so it is really unnecessary to .renew the red ink in the lower portion of the writing ribbon.

Any suitable means may be used for adjusting the elevation of the inking mechanism so that a line of ink may be applied to any desired part of the writing ribbon. i One form of construction` that may be used for this purpose is'illustrated in Figs. 8, 10, and 11 in which the inking mechanism is mounted on a base I I0 having projecting ends I II which are oifset upwardly out of the plane of the base. These ends have apertures through which extend screw studs H2 secured to the frame I0 of the typing machine. Nuts I I3 and I I4 are arranged on the threaded studs to engage the upper and lower faces of the ends III of the base of the inking mechanism and by adjusting these nuts, the inking mechanism may be raised and lowered as shown, the mechanism being shown in-its lowest position in the drawings. Any other suitable adjusting mechanism may of course be applied to the inking mechanisms shown in Figs. 1 to 7.

By means of my invention one may place a line, or lines, of ink upon the upper or black portion of a ribbon and get writing of as ne quality and as large quantity as when using a solid black writing ribbon. The ink is continuously fed in the right amount to replenish the amount used and just enough ink is kept at that part of the writing ribbon throughout the length of said ribbon, where the type strike, to give extremely neat impressions of rich color. The typist may now depend upon a large ink reservoir built right into the typing machine to furnish the ink to the multi-color ribbon and no longer does the upper portion have to carry its own black ink supply. 'I'here is another advantage in placing the ink upon the ink-conveying ribbon in the form of a line. One readily sees how extremely simple and easy it is to convey from the ink reservoir to the writing ribbon a line of fresh ink that will always contain exactly the same amount of ink week in and week out for the entire life of the writing ribbon. The hard impervious surface of the ink supply ribbon will not absorb any of the ink placed upon it so that the line of ink received by the absorbent surface of the writing ribbon is always the same The present invention is a definite improvement over the invention described in my Patent No. 1,826,568 because of the accuracy with which the ink'supply can be controlled to supply ink only as itis used from the writing ribbon. This is particularly true as to the multi-,color ribbons. 'I'he small ne line of ink conveyed from the ink reservoir to the writing ribbon by the present invention and placed upon the writing ribbon well above the colored ink supply as a line of less Width than the height or width of the type of. the typing.

fed to the writing ribbon is never sufficient to provide a surplus of ink that can cause harm by spreading into the other kind, or kinds, of ink in the writing ribbon.

Bymeans of the constructions described, the width and uniformity of line, or lines, of ink put on the writing ribbon can be controlled with a high degree of accuracy.\.1n the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 7, this can be done by controlling the thickness of the outer edge of the disk 30. It will also be understood that a number of disks of any suitable kinds or sizes of edges or periphery portions may be employed for placing a plurality of lines on any desired portions oi.' the ink transfer member, if necessary. The term lines of ink is herein used to include broken lines as well as continuous lines or lines of any other kind. Broken lines may be formed by the disk shown in Fig. 6. They may be extremely thin short lines, or dashes that are so small and so extremely thin as tolook to the' naked eye like a series of very ne dots extremely close to one another. I prefer to use a very quick fiowing, extremely thin ink when making a series of extremely close dots or dashes so that the ink will, almost immediately after it touches the surface of the writing ribbon, ow across and entirely close up the spaces between the dots or dashes thereby making a connected line or lines.

By means of the construction shown in Figs. 8 to ll, it will be obvious that the ink supply may be controlled by selecting an orice of the desired size or by placing a number of lines of ink on the ribbon by means of a number of orifices at one time.y In this construction, the ink supply may be shut oi, when the typewriter is not in use, by closing the ink supply valves.

As a result of the ink feed mechanisms described, it is possible to employ and operate a machine for a much longer period if a suitable writing ribbon is employed such, for example, as ribbons of the kind described in Patents No. 1,732,187, No 1,830,559, No. 1,830,620 and application No. 567,111 of October 5, 1931, without changing thev writing ribbon since obviously the only limit as to quantity of writing of uniform appearance (and that matches substantially and for all practical purposes from its iirst use until the fabric is worn) is set by the length of time the ribbon fabric can withstand the pounding or pressure of the type against the same, and not upon the amountv of ink stored in the ribbon. The beauty of the writing is dependent upon the writing ribbons quality and upon uniform feed of ink to the same in the right amount. In machines in which the type is pressed against the ribbon rather than hammered or struck against the same, the wear on the ribbon is very much less than in an ordinary typewriter, so that the life of a ribbon under such pressure is for some years, and throughout its life the writing done by the ribbon will be of uniform weight of ink, Very sharp and clear and of excellent color. No matter how long the particular piece of typewriting work may be, the writing on the last pagel will be of as rich color and as easily legible as that on the first page. It is well known that finely woven, thin, high thread count, silkribbons produce much liner writing than usual cotton ribbons, but as ordinarily used up to the present time, the ribbon must also serve as the s ole reservoir for the ink supply. In accordance with this invention, it is unnecessary to carry more than a temporary ink supply in the writing ribbon. Consequently, the nest kind of long fibre silk typewriter ribbon, made as described in the before mentioned patents and application for patents, can be used as a writing ribbon,-so that by the use of my present invention, not only is the writing of uniform color throughout the life of the ribbon, but also the impressions are much finer than those obtained by typewriter ribbons as hertofore commonly used. It is very economical to use a long fibre silk writing ribbon of the high excellence of yarn and Weave described in application No. 567,111 (woven .004 of an inch in thickness and brought down to .002i of an inch by friction calendering) in conjunction with this 2 present invention. For example, one face fof a ribbon of this kind can be friction calendered to cause this face to retard to a certain extent the passage of ink through this surface, or a face of a ribbon may be coated with an ink retarding cellulose compound solution as described in my Patent No. 1,732,187. The ink from the ink reservoir or ink supply ribbon may then be applied to the uncalendered or uncoated face of the ribbon. The inking mechanisms described herein can be built extremely small and compact so they can be used on the smallest portable machines now made. When an inking means such as described is used, the ribbon spools are made larger than standard. Also when the mk is fed directly to the writing ribbon as shown in Fig. 7, I prefer to use a larger spool or spools. The longer the writing ribbon, the more even, neat, uniform writing that substantially matches, can be done without having to change' ribbons, either by bringing the lower portion of the ribbon above or by putting on a new ribbon.

Writing ribbons have heretofore been reinked after the rst ink supply has been exhausted by taking the ribbon 01T the `machine and then applying a large amount of ink which results in a ribbon that writes very heavy and ugly. A material commonly used in reinking is oil which contains no pigment and no dye. After the ribbon has been reinked it is usually allowed to stand for a few days before being placed back on the machine. This again results in Writing that is too heavy at the start. The color and weight of the ink in the impression changes steadily until the writing again becomes dim and gray. My present invention gives uniform color and substantially the same quantity of ink in the impression when the fabric is new and when the fabric is nearly worn out, and during all the 6'0 long period in between.

There is another advantage in using the present invention. Because the only thing that limits the amount of writing that may be doneby a ribbon with my inking mechanism is the life of the fabric, and because there is always a ne ink supply in reserve, it being a simple matter to refill the ink reservoir, it is practical for the typist when the upper portion of the ribbon becomes worn, to remove the writing ribbon and rewind it with the` bottom edge placed above in.

the machine and on the spools. If this is done,

the writing ribbon is again good for another very` ribbons. It is not customary at present to turn over the solid color ribbons so as to bring'the vlower edge above and so as to furnish new unity that it is considered impractical to use the.

lowerportion of the solid color ribbon. The present invention, however, makes it advisable for the purchaser of a machine to purchase that type of machine which enables one to not only use the space of the ribbon' aboveV mentioned but also permits other portions of the fabric to be used, a mechanism for making different parts of the ribbon usable being, for example, shown in my Patent No. 1,324,265 of December 9, 1919, so that the typist may readily use the entire width of the fabric of the writing ribbon before throwing the writing ribbon away At present most ribbons and especially` the expensive commercial silk ribbons which carry so little ink in order to do sharp writing, and especially all lightly inked ribbons, are thrown away when the fabric is in fine condition and simply because the ink is gone.

It will, of 'course, be understood that the devices described may be used on any typing or printing mechanisms employing type and a transfer member, whether said member is in the form of a ribbon, sheet, or any other form.

While in this description the ink has been described as a liquid, yet it is to be understood that any other transfer material which may be placed upon the edge of a disk or rotary member as needed, and in turn placed upon the surface of the ink transfer member, may be employed. It is to be understood that the construction shown is for purposes of illustration and that variations may be made in sizes and styles of parts and in details without departing from the scope and the spirit of the present invention. I do not limit myself as to the kind of materials used in the. ribbons or in the rotary members or wicks, or any other parts and I do not limit myself as to the kind of writing ribbon used or as to its width or length or as to the kind of material used in the ink supply ribbon or kas to its length or width or thickness. And I do not limit myself as to the reservoir, or reservoirs used.

With reference to commercial or standard typewriter ribbons of good quality of cotton fabric, it is understood that the usual heavily inked ribbon in an average office will be used approximately 51/2 -days a week for perhaps five weeks where the typist takes dictation in shorthand; that the medium inked ribbon under like conditions will be used approximately three and one-half to four weeks and the standard lightly inked ribbon or clean inked secretarial ribbon will be used for from two to three weeks. If the lightly inked ribbon is usrd almost continuously for as much as five hours a dav by the typist who is rapid and takes no shorthand dictation, it is to be understood that the standard lightly inked ribbon will last for approximately four or five days before the ink supply is so exhausted that it is of no value whatever. In other words the standard lightly inked ribbon would contain very little ink when first put in use so that its writing might be as neat as possible from the outset and when used for a total of approximately twenty-four hours by a rapid typist, its ink supply would be exhausted to a degree'that it was of no value and would have to be replaced by a new ribbon if used in the usual way on a typewriter not equipped with an inking means. Commercial Silkribbons are understood tovbe the usual high priced ribbons which have a very limited use and are luxury products which usually do not carry much ink and have slight ink absorbing capacity. The fact is well known that the hard fibers of usual commercial silk typewriter ribbons cannot absorb ink in comparison with cotton ribbons ofA good grade, closely woven, retailing for slightly less than the price of the said commercial silk ribbons. typewriter ribbons have but slight ink-absorbing capacity and ink storage capacity per unit area but may be of a thinness to produce written characters of sharp, neat outlines when medium inked or lightly inked. If heavily inked, such silk ribbons usually carry a large amount of surface ink which is very oily and gives poor outlines in the writing. Due to the silk fabric being much freer from lint and fuzz than cotton ribbons, it is possible for medium inked silk ribbons to produce sharp, neat impressions of rich color but this color wears down materially in the hands of a rapid typist so that within two weeks such a medium inked ribbon writes faintly.'` Two weeks is understood to be a very short life for a standard typewriter ribbon of medium inked type, standard length of twelve yards. The vast majority of typists are never given such ribbons because they so soon contain very little inkfand are considered extravagant.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a typing machine, the combination of a writing ribbon, an ink reservoir, a non-absorbent ink supply ribbon having a surface adapted to contact with the writing ribbon, means for placing ink from said reservoir upon said surface ,10 of said ink supply ribbon.

2. In a typing machine, the combination of a writing ribbon having an absorbent body portion and a frictioned calendered ink retarding face portion, an ink reservoir, an ink supply ribbon,

. said ribbons contacting with each other, means for moving the writing ribbon between the surface to be typed and the type, and means for transferring ink from said ink reservoir to said ink supply ribbon in proportion to the amount of travel of said writing ribbon.

3. In a typing machine, the combination of a two color writing ribbon, having an absorbent body portion and a friction calendered face portion, an ink reservoir, an ink conveying supply ribbon of less width than said writing. ribbon, the two ribbons contacting with each other at one side of the division line between the two colors of ink of the writing ribbon, to replenish the ink supply of one color portion of said ribbon.

4. In a typing machine, the combination of .a writing ribbon, the lower half of which contains red ink and the upper half of which contains an ink other than red, an ink reservoir containing ink corresponding in color to said other ink, a substantially non-absorbent ink supply ribbon which is less than half the width of the writing ribbon, the two ribbons contacting with each other above the division line between theinks so that the red ink portion of the writing ribbon remains out of contact with the ink supply ribbon.

5. In 'a typing machine, the combination of a writing ribbon, the lower half of which contains red record ink and the upper half of same contains ink other than red, an ink reservoir containing ink corresponding in color to said other Commercial silk than red ink, a substantially non-absorbent ink supply ribbon which is less than half the width of the writing ribbon, the two ribbons contacting with each other above the red ink portion of the writing ribbon so that. the red ink portion or said writing ribbon remains out of contact with the lnk supply ribbon, means for placing ink from said ink reservoir upon said ink supply ribbon, and means for transferring said ink from said ink supply ribbon to said writing ribbon lengthwise thereof and above said red ink portion of said writing ribbon.

6. In a typing machine, the combination of a writing ribbon, the lower half of which contains a different ink from the upper half, an ink reservoir containing ink free from pigment but containing dye of the desired color, a substantially non-absorbent ink supply ribbon ywhich is less than half the width of the writing ribbon, the two ribbons contacting with each other throughout substantially their length but the ink supply ribbon contacting with no portion of one half of said writing ribbon and conveying no ink from,

said ink reservoir to said half of the writing ribbon with which it does not contact.

7. In a typing machine, the combination of a. writing ribbon, the lower half -of whichcontains a different ink from the upper half, an ink reservoir containing ink of a color and composition suitable for blending with one of the inks in said writing ribbon, a substantially non-absorbent ink supply ribbon which is less than half the width of the writing ribbon, a pair of spools upon which the tworibbons are inter-wound, and means for unwinding the ribbons from one spool and windingthem upon the other, the writing ribbonrin passing from one spool to the other, passing between the type and the surface to be typedlwhile the supply ribbon passes in contact with the ink supply mechanism and ink reservoir and means for placing ink upon said supply ribbon of a color and composition suitable for blending with'one of the inks in said writing ribbon and means for guiding said supply ribbon forv transferring said ink from the supply ribbon to the proper portionj of the writing ribbon.

8. In a typing machine, the combination of a writing ribbon having an absorbent body portion and a friction calendered ink-retarding face portion, means for moving the writing ribbon between the type and the surface to be typed, an ink reservoir, an ink supply ribbon, means for transferring ink in uniform amounts from ,said lnk reservoir to said ink supply ribbon," and means for guiding said ribbons into contact with each other for transferring ink from .-said ink supply ribbon to that face of said writing ribbon opposite to said ink retarding face portion.

9. In a typing machine, the combination of a writing ribbon having an absorbent body portion and a friction calendered, ink-retarding face portion, and means for moving the writing ribbon between the type and the surface to be typed, an ink reservoir, an ink supply ribbon, means for transferring ink in uniform amounts from said ink reservoir to said ink supply ribbon, and means for guiding said ribbons into contact with each other for transferring said ink from said inksupply ribbon to said writing ribbon in the form of a fine line or lines, to the upper portion where the type contact or dispense ink from the ribbon or strike the ribbon, or the lower portion, or any intermediate portion of one face of the writing ribbon and throughout substantially the writing length of the said writing ribbon as indicated by the length of the space marked by the type along said writing ribbon and along one face thereof.

10. In a typing machine,v the combination of a writing ribbon having an absorbent body portion and a friction calendered, ink-retarding face portion, means for moving the writing ribbon between the type and the surface to be typed, an ink reservoir, an ink supply ribbon, the ribbons contacting with each other throughout substantially their entire length, and means for transf' ferring ink in uniform amounts from said ink reservoir to said ink supply ribbon, said ink being transferred from said ink supply ribbon to said writing ribbon in the form of a line.

11. In a typing machine, the combination of a writing ribbon having an ink-retarding, friction calendered face portion and an absorbent body portion, an ink reservoir containing a large supply of ink, means for moving the writing ribbon between the type and the surface to be typed, a substantially non-ink absorbent ink supply ribbon having an even, smoothsurface for receiving said ink from said ink reservoir, and means for controlling the feed of said ink upon the ink supply ribbon in the form of a line of ink of any desired size, shape or form, and means for bringing the ink carrying face of said ribbon into contact with the non-ink-retarding face of the said writing ribbon to transfer ink from said supply ribbon to said writing ribbon.

12. In a typing machine, the combination of a friction-calendered writing ribbon, means for moving the writing ribbon between the type and the surface to be typed, a non-fabric, non-absorbent ink supply ribbon with at least one smooth surface, the ink supply ribbon contacting with the upper portion, or with the lower portion. or with any intermediate portion of the writing ribbon, lengthwise and substantially throughout the entire length of said writing ribbon, said ink supply ribbon being movable in contact with the writing ribbon, said ink supply ribbon not exceeding three-sixteenths (1%) of an inch in width, an ink reservoir for supplying ink to said ink supply ribbon for transfer to the writing ribbon.

13. A typing machine, including a capillary member composed largely of absorbent fibres and being of substantially cylindrical form rotatable about an axis, a supply of liquid ink into which a portion of said capillary member extends during the rotation thereof, another portion of said capillary member being permanently arranged out of said ink supply, a rotary member having an edge portion in rolling contact with said other portion of said capillary member, and a ribbon movable in contact with said rotary member for receiving ink from said edge.

14. A typing machine, including a capillary member composed largely of absorbent flbresand being of substantially cylindrical form rotatable about an axis, a supply of liquid ink into which a. portion of said capillary member extends during the rotation thereof, another portion of said capillary member being permanently arranged out of said ink supply, a rotary member having its entire edge portion in rolling contact with said other portion of said capillary member, a ribbon movable in contact with said rotary member for receiving ink from said edge, and means for yieldingly pressing said ribbon into engagement with Said edge portion.

15. 'I'he combination of a capillary member composed largely of absorbent fibres and being of substantially cylindrical form having an absorbed supply of liquid ink, a rotary member having an edge portion thereof in rolling contact with said capillary member to receive ink therefrom on said edge portion, ag ribbon moving in contact with the edge portion of said rotary member to receive ink from the entire periphery or edge portion and to impart rotary motion to said rotary member, and a driving connection between said rotary member and said capillary member.

16. The combination of an ink transfer member, a non-metallic/n/on-absorptive ink supply member, a reservoir for a supply of liquid ink, having at least one discharge4 orifice with which Said supply member contacts and through which ink from said reservoir may be discharged and means for bringing said supply member into at least some contact with said transfer member to transfer the ink on said supply member to the upper portion, or the portion where the type contact or from which they dispense ink to a surface, or the lower portion of one face, or any intermediate portion ofv one face of 'said transfer member throughout the entire length of the writing space portion of said ink transfer member.

17. The combination with an ink transfer member, of a reservoir of liquid ink, means for transferring ink from said reservoir to said transfer member in the form of at least one line, and means for controlling and regulating the discharge of ink from said reservoir through' at least one ori-1 ilce to the upper portion, or the portion from which ink is dispensed to a surface, or the lower portion of one face, or any intermediate portion of one face of said transfer member.

18. 'I'he combination with an ink transfer member, of a reservoir for liquid ink, and a plurality of minute discharge orifices of different sizes for gravitationally discharging ink from said reservoir for absorption by said transfer member, and means for controlling the discharge of ink through said orifices to feed exactly the correct amount of ink to the transfer member throughout the life of its fabric, for requirements that call for several different feeds of ink, some feeds larger than others, and means for always feeding ink in differing quantities that shall always-be uniform quantities.

19. 'I'he combination with an ink transfer member, of a reservoir for liquid, ink, and a plurality of minute discharge orices for gravitationally discharging ink from said reservoir for absorption by said transfer member, and means for controlling the amount of ink supplied to said transfer member by interrupting the discharge of ink through any of said discharge orifices.

20. The combination with an ink transfer member, of a reservoir for a supply of liquid ink, having at least one discharge orifice, a non-metallic intermediate member for receiving ink from said orifice, said intermediate member contacting with said transfer member to transfer ink from said intermediate member to the upper portion, or the portion from which ink is dispensed to a surface, or the lower portion of a face, or any intermediate portion of one face of said transfer member, and means for controlling the discharge of ink through said orifice to said intermediate member.

21. In a writing machine employing an ink transfer member, the combination of a reservoir for liquid ink mounted on said machine, a capillary discharge orice for transferring ink from said reservoir to the upper portion, or the portion from which ink is dispensed to a surface, or the lower portion of a face, or any intermediate portion of one face of said transfer member, and

22. In a typing machine,

valve means which may be opened or closed by the typist as desired, or may be partially opened as desired for controlling the discharge of ink through said oriiice. l s

the combination with mounted on said machine for supplying ink to said transfer member, and means for supporting said inking mechanism in different positions relatively to said machine for supplying ink tothe upper portion, or the portion from which ink is dispensed to a surface, or the lower portion of a face, or any intermediate portion of one face of said transfer member.

23. In a typing machine, the combination with an ink transfer member, of an inking mechanism and a reservoir of ink containing an inked wick;

and said inking mechanism ,including a rotary.

disk having a thin periphery portion which is inked by ink from the end p rtion of said wick and said inking mechanism eing distinguished by its ability to place an extremely thin line or lines of ink upon a surface of a transfer member lengthwise thereof and for the full space of said member which is touchedor struck by the type or with which the type contact in dispensing ink to a surface, and said lines or line of ink being of the same width of ink and same weight of ink out to the ends of the Writing space of said transfer member as at any other part of said members writing space or space where the type contact or where the type mark the transfer member and said typing machine having adjustable means I'for mounting said inking mechanism on said machine, said means being adjustable to raise and lower said inking mechanism with reference to said ink transfer member for supplying ink to different portions of said ink transfer member.

24. In a typing machine, the combination of a reservoir of ink, a woven ink transfer ribbon comprising a set of warp threads andia set of weft threads so woven that the threa/(is' of one set are exposed to a greater extent onl` the face 5 adjacent the surface to be typed, at least one set of said threads being mainly of long fibres of animal silk,'and means for feeding ink from said reservoir to said transfer ribbon in said machine while the same is in use intermittently, to maintain an approximately uniform amount of ink in the writing ribbon at the typing position; said typing machine being equipped with at least one ribbon.

25. Ina typing mechanism, the combination of an ink transfer ribbon woven of long bres of animal silk of high thread count and having a friction calendered surface with an ink retarding material thereon, and means for placing ink on said ribbon during its intermittent use in said typing mechanism in approximately uniform amounts thereby maintaining substantially uniform amounts of ink in that lengthwise portion of said ink transfer ribbon which is contacted by the type at the writing position.

26. The method of maintaining an ink transfer member in an inked condition so that it carries substantially the same amount of ink as when first put into use at all times during the o intermittent operation of a typing machine,

whi/ch includes the step of feeding ink by gravity from a minute orifice in a continuous line to a face of 'a transfer member during intermittent operation of said machine and controlling the 5 rate of discharge of said ink lhIQilgh said orifice said machine being equipped with at least one ribbon.`

27. In a typing machine, the combinationof a reservoir of ink, an ink transfer member having an absorbent body portion and an ink-retarding.

face portion and means for supplying ink from said reservoir to the absorbent body portion of said transfer member in the form of a line* of less width than the width of that portion of said type ferent spools during operation of said machine.

characterized in that said machine is provided with re-inking means for the printing ribbon, comprising a non-printing, ink-carrier ribbon which. is relatively narrow and thin as com- 'pared with the printing ribbon and which interwinds face to face with the printing ribbon on said spools adjacent one longitudinal edge of the printing ribbon for carrying ink to said printing ribbon while reeled upon each spool, said non-printing ribbon being substantially impervious and non-ink-absorbent.

29. In aprinting machine, the combination of a printing ribbon impregnated with ink, a nonabsorptive ribbon adapted to receive and transfer ink to said printing ribbon, means for causing an inked side of the non-absorptive ribbon to contact progressively with the printing ribbon, printing means coactive with the printing ribbon to form inked impressions, guiding means for the non-absorptive ribbon withholding the same from the field of printing action of the printing means, a pulley supported on an axis and engaged and driven by said non-absorptive ribbon, an ink applying disk supported to rotate about an axis parallel to the-pulley axis to contact one face of said non-absorptive ribbon at a point where the opposite face is in contact with said pulley, an ink reservoir below the level of the disk, said pulley and disk being rotatively driven by said non-absorptlve ribbon, and a wick means extending into said reservoir for conveying ink from the reservoir and applying a film of ink to the periphery of the disk.

30. In a typing machine, the combination of a writing ribbon, the lower half of which contains a different ink from the upper half, an ink reservoir containing ink of a color and composition suitable for blending with one of the inks in said writing ribbon, a substantially non-absorbent ink supply ribbon, a pair of spools upon which the two ribbons are interwound, and means for unwinding the ribbons from one spool and winding them upon the other, the writing ribbon in passing from one spool to the other, passing between the type and the surface to be typed while the supply ribbon passes in contact with the ink supply mechanism and ink reservoir and means for placing ink upon said supply ribbon of a color and composition suitable for blending with one of the inks in said writing ribbon and means for transferring said ink from the supply ribbon to the proper portion of a face of said writing ribbon.

31. A typing machine ribbon spool having interwound thereon an absorbent writing ribbon and a substantially non-absorbent ink carrier ribbon.

32. In a typing machine, the combination of a writing ribbon, an ink reservoir, containing a portion of an inked wick and containing ink, an

its length.

33. In a printing machine, the combination of a printing ribbon impregnated with ink, anonabsorptive ribbon adapted to receive and transfer ink to said printing ribbon, means for causing an inked side of'the non-absorptive ribbon to contact progressively with me printing ribbon,`

printing mean'spoactive with the printing ribbon Yto form inked impressions, guiding `means for the non-absorptive ribbon withholding the same from the field of printing action of the printing means, a pulley engaged and driven by said nonprinting ribbon, an ink supply disk supported to rotate about an axis parallel to the pulley axis,-

yielding means for eii'ecting relative movement of said pulley'and disk to urge one toward the other to cause said disk to contact one face of said non-absorptive ribbon at a point where the opposite face is in contact with said pulley, an

ink reservoir below the level of said disk, a roller` supported to rotate about an axis parallel to that of said pulley and disk and contacted at its periphery by said disk, said pulley, disk, and roller beingl rotatively driven by said non-absorptive ribbon, and a wick means extending into said reservoir from the periphery of said roller for conveying ink from the reservoir and applying a lm of ink to the periphery. of the roller.

34. In a typing machine, the combination of a writing ribbon, an ink reservoir, a non-absorbent ink supply ribbon having a surface adapted to contact with the writing ribbon, and means having a rolling contact with said supply ribbon and receiving ink from said reservoir and depositing it on said supply ribbon.

35. The combination with an inked writing ribbon of a typing machine and a reservoir of fluid ink, of a rotary wick member, one end of which rotates in said ink and the other end of which rotates outside the ink in said reservoir, means contacting with said other portion of said wick for receiving ink therefrom and for transferringthe same to said writing ribbon in correct amounts during intermittentoperation of said machine to replace ink used in writing.

36. In a typing machine employing an ink transfer ribbon member, the combination of a disk rotatable with its edge in contact with said ink transfer member, a pulley having a rolling contact Awith the opposite face of said transfer member, rotary means connected with an ink supply, including a rotary member which contacts with the periphery of said disk and applies ink thereto and means for transferring said ink from said ink supply to a ribbon member in said machine'in correct amounts during intermittent operation of said machine to replace ink used in writing; said disk lying in an approximately horizontal plane and being geared'for positive movement during operation of said typing machine.

37. In a typing machine, the combination of a writing ribbon, means for traversing said ribbon longitudinally past a typing position, the portion of said ribbon located at the printing position being in an approximately' vertical plane, an ink reservoir, a rotary inkingdisk and a roller arranged at opposite sides of a ribbon in saidmachine, said disk lying in an approximately horizontal plane; means for applying a predetermined, accurately gauged, quantity of ink from said reservoir to the periphery of said disk during intermittent operation of said machine, for transfer by suitable means to said writing ribbon to restore to it a quantity of ink approximately equal to that expelled during each traverse of said writing ribbon past said typing position thereby maintaining a substantially uniform amount of ink in said writing ribbon regardless of intermittent operation of said machine.

38. In a typing machine, the combination of a writing ribbon, meansfor traversing -said ribbon longitudinally past a typing position, an ink reservoir, a rotary inking disk and a roller lying on opposite sides of a ribbon in said machine, said disk lying in an approximately horizontal plane; means for maintaining an approximately uniform supply oi' ink in said writing ribbon at the typing position, including means for applying a line of ink in the form of a thin, narrow illm, to the edge of said disk during intermittent operation of said machine for transfer from said edge to said writing ribbon to replace approximately the amount of ink expended in writing during each trip of the writing ribbon; said disk being` positioned out of direct contact with the ink supply in said reservoir.

39. A typing machine according to claim 38 in which gears connect said disk with a roller in said machine.

40. In a typewriter equipped with an inked ribbon of little ink storage capacity per unit area and of a thinness to produce written characters of sharp outline, the combination of an ink res- `ervoir and means for maintaining an approximately uniform supply of ink in said inked ribbon at the typing position.,and including means for4 placing ink from said reservoir upon a face of a ribbon in said typewriter, said means including a thin-edged inkingwheel having a rolling contact with a face of a 'ribbon in said typewriter for depositing ink thereon in predetermined, ac-

curately gauged quantity during intermittentopr eration of said typewriter; said inking wheel lving in an approximately horizontal plane and lying above and outside the ink in said reservoir.

41. In aV typewriter equipped with a writing ribbon. lightly `'impregnated with ink for sharp, neat writing, the combination of means for reinking said writing ribbon during intermittent operation of said typewriter, including rotary means; and including a thin edged inking wheel lying on one side of a ribbon in said typewriter, and a pulley lying opposite said wheel and contacting the other side of a ribbon in said typewriter; gears connecting said wheel and pulley, and means for applying ink from a reservoir in said typewriter uponthe edge of said wheel in predetermined. accurately gauged'ouantity to replace the ink used from the writing ribbon; said wheel lying in an approximately horizontal position, above 'and outside the ink supply in said reservoir.

42. In a typing machine, the combination o f a highly wear resistant writing ribbon including ibres of silk. an ink reservoir, a substantially non-ink absorptive ink supply ribbon having a surface adapted to contact with said writing ribbon and means having a rolling contact with said supply ribbon and receiving ink from said reservoir and depositing it on said supply ribbon in predetermined, accurately gauged amounts.

43. In a typing machine, the combination of a writing ribbon, including fibres of silk, carrying the optimum quantity of ink for neat imprints, a substantially 'non-ink-absorptive supply ribbon having at least one smooth, even surface, the two ribbons interwinding on the spools, an ink reservoir, and means for placing a predetermined, accurately gauged amount of ink from said reservoir upon a face of said supply ribbon and means for moving said ribbons during operation of said machine so as to transfer said ink from said supply ribbon to said writing ribbon 'in correct amounts to replace ink used from said writing ribbon.

44. Mechanism for supplying ink to an ink transfer member in a typing machine, to maintain an approximately uniform supply of ink in a writing ribbon at the typing position during intermittent operation of said mechanism, including rotary means and including a thinedged, inkcarrying disk, an ink reservoir, means for placing ink from said reservoir in predetermined, accurately gauged amounts upon the edge of said disk, a pulley; said disk and pulley lying on opposite sides of said transfer member; means for yieldingly pressing said disk and pulley towards each other and against opposite faces of said transfer member; suitable gears connecting said disk with at least one other rotaryl member in said machine; said disk lying in an approximately horizontal plane outside the ink in said reservoir; said mechanism being equipped with at least one ribbon.

45. Device for supplying ink to a ribbon member in a typewriter as said ribbon travels back and forth during operation of said typewriter, to maintain an approximately uniform supply of ink in a ribbon member of said typewriter at the typing position, comprising a pulley rotated by contact with a face of a ribbon member; an

- ink applier which is in driving connection with said pulley and is actuated by rotation of the latter to apply ink to the other face of a ribbon member; an ink reservoir whose ink supply lies below said pulley and below said ink applier: said ink being placed on said face of a ribbon member by said ink applier in predetermined amounts, accurately gauged, during intermittent operation of said typewriter.

46. Device according to claim 46 characterized in that the ink applier is a disk lying in an approximately horizontal position geared to said pulley and supported to rotate on an axis parallel to the pulley axis and to peripherally contact a face of a ribbon fed between the pulley and disk with the opposite face of the ribbon engaging the periphery of the pulley.

47. Device according to claimY 46 characterized in that a roller peripherally contacts the ink applier disk and is geared to said disk for rotative driving of the roller and ink is fed to the roller from the ink reservoir.

48. In a printing machine, the combination of an inked printing ribbon, a non-printing ribbon adapted to receive and transfer ink to said printing ribbon, means for causing an inked side of the non-printing ribbon to contact progressively with the printing ribbon, printing means coactive with the printing ribbon to form inked impressions, guiding means for the non-printing 'ribbon withholding the same from the nid of printing action of the printing means, a pulley supported on anaxis and engaged and driven by said non-printing ribbon, `an ink-supplying disk supported to rotate about an axis parallel to the pulley axis, said non-printing ribbon passing between said pulley and said disk and said ribbon and disk being yieldingly urged into contact at a point where the' opposite face of said non-printing ribbon is in contact with said pulley, an ink reservoir below the level of the disk, said pulley and disk being rotatively driven by said non-printing ribbon,v a wick supported to rotate about an axis parallel to that of said disk and having apart rotating in the ink in said reservoir and a part arranged permanently out of said ink turning in contact with the periphery ofl said disk; said wick extending downward from said disk into the reservoir, and driving gears connecting said disk and rotary wick for rotating the wick from the disk.

49. In a typing machine, the combination with a writing ribbon consisting of threads and fibres of silk, compactly woven and inked to produce written characters of sharp outline, of means for accurately re-inking said ribbon during intermittent operation of said machine, to maintain an approximately uniform supply of ink in said writing ribbon at the typing position; said means including a thin edged inking member having a. rolling contact with a small portion only of the width of one face of a ribbon member in said machine; a reservoir of ink; and means for applying a thin film of ink to the periphery of said thin edged inking member, which is sufcient to replace ink used in writing; said inking member being substantially nonink-absorptive and lying above the ink supply in said reservoir.

50. In a typing machine, the combination with a writing ribbon, having a small reserve supply of lnk, and woven compactly and of a thinness and inking to produce written characters of sharp outline, of means for accurately re-ink-v ing said ribbon during intermittent operation of said machine, to maintain an approximately uniform supply of ink in said writing ribbon at the typing position, and said means including a thin edged inking member having a rolling contact with a small portion only of the width of a ribbon member in said machine; a reservoir of ink; and means for applying a thin lm of ink to said inking member, which is approximately sufficient to replace ink used in Writing with the said machine; said inking member being substantially non-ink-absorptive and lying above the ink sup ply in said reservoir; said machine being equipped with at least one ribbon.

51. In a typing machine, a ribbon inking device, for maintaining an approximately uniform supply of ink in a ribbon at the typing position during intermittent operation of said machine, wherein a rotary ink applier is supplied with ink from a reservoir by an ink supplying means and said ink applier is opposed to a pulley between which and said ink applier f ribbon is fed endwise, characterized, in that the pulley is supported above the reservoir to rotate about an upstanding axis which is xedly related to the reservoir, and said ink applier is supported above the reservoir to rotate about an upstanding axis and to move horizontally relative to the reservoir; and said pulley and said ink applier being urged Atoward a ribbon in said machine; said ink supplying means being so arranged as to maintain contact with the periphery of the said ink applier.

52. In a typing machine, the combination with an inked ribbon formed of silk fibres, through which the typed Vimpressions are made in conventional Way, and mechanism for traversing said ribbon longitudinally past the typing position, of means for maintaining a substantially uniform amount of ink in the vinked ribbon at said typing position during intermittent use of said machine;l the said means comprising a rotary ink transfer element inthe form of a rotary member having a narrowperipheral surface and arranged for rolling" contact between saidI surface and a ribbon in said machine and means for supplying said surface with ink in the form of an ink film of predetermined depth coextensive with said surface to thereby aiford a controlled transfer of ink to a ribbon in amount accurately regulated to replace ink used in writing with said machine; the peripheral surface of said transfer element being substantially non-ink-ab- 'sorptive; and said machine being 'equipped with at least one ribbon.

53. In means for feeding ink to an ink transfer ribbon in a typing machine at a substantially uniform rate during intermittent use of said machine so as to maintain a substantially uniform quantity of ink in said ribbon at= the typing position, the combination with means for longitudinally traversing said ribbon, of asrotary ink transfer element arranged for rolling contact with a face of a ribbon in said machine, and having a ribbon-contacting surface of small area; said ink being supplied to said ink transfer element under control in amounts accurately regulated to equal the amounts of ink lost -in the typing operations for all practical purposes; and said machine being equipped with at least one ribbon.

54. A typing machine in accordance with claim 53, in which the writing ribbon is formed largely of silk fibres and threads.

55. A typing machine in accordance with claim 53, in which a wick is used in supplying ink to a ribbon in said machine, and one end portion of said wick lying outside an ink well in said machine.

56. In a typewriting machine, the combina- .5o tion with an ink-bearing ribbon through lwhich the typed impressions are made in conventional manner, and mechanism for traversing said ribbon longitudinally past the typing position, of means for maintaining an approximately uniform quantity of ink in said ribbon at said typing position during intermittent use of said machine, including at least one .rotary ink transfer element and an ink reservoir and means for supplying ink from said reservoir to the lengthwise portion of said ribbon which is marked by the type of said machine in writing, in quantity accurately regulated to replace in said ribbon the ink lost therefrom as ai result of the writing operation; and said machine being equipped with at least one ribbon.

57. An inking mechanism including al pressure roller and an inking dis'k disposed at opposite sides of an ink transfer ribbon and in rolling contact with the faces thereof, said roller and disk being mounted for movement relatively with respect to eachother, means for applying, during intermittent use of said mechanism, athin, u niform film of ink'to said disk's peripheral surface for transfer to an ink transfer ribbon in said mechanism, and resilient means urging said disk and roller toward each other and into yielding contact with a ribbon in said mechanism;

and said mechanism being equipped with at least one ribbon.

58. In a typing machine,l equipped with a reserve supply-of ink suitablefor reinking a writing ribbon, the combination with a writing ribbon lightly impregnated with ink so that continued use of said ribbon would soon render it useless, vof means for inking said ribbon continuously during intermittent operation of said maa writing ribbon carrying the optimumvquantity of ink for the character of impression desired, a substantially non-absorbent ink supply ribbon having at least one smooth. even surface, the two ribbons contacting with-each other, an' ink reservoir, and means for placing ink from said reservoir upon said ink supply ribbon in .the right quantityto maintain the ink content of the writing ribbon substantially uniform and the same; and means for moving said ribbons so as to transfer said ink from said ink supply ribbon to said writing ribbon continuously during use of said writing ribbon, in uniformly even quantities, said ink being transferred in the form of at least one line, from the ink reservoir to the smooth surface of said supply ribbon.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent N0. 2,074,969.

GEORGE E. PELTON.

Iti's hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 12, first column'. lines 54 and 62, claims 46 and 47 respectively, for the claim reference numeral "46" read 45; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. l

Signed and .sealed this 11th day of May, A. `D. 1937.

Henry Van A'rsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

- Marches, 19:57.,y 

